The Preacher's Rising Salary

When a pastor's wife was expecting a baby, he stood before the congregation and asked for a raise. After much discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded, so would his salary. After six children, this started to get expensive and the congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher's rising salary. A great deal of yelling and inner bickering ensued, as to how much the clergyman's additional children were costing the church, and how much more it could potentially cost.

And after listening to them for about an hour, the pastor rose from his chair and spoke, “My brothers and sisters, children are a gift from God, and we will take as many gifts as He gives us”. With that speech, silence fell on the congregation. But in the back pew, a little old lady struggled to stand, and finally said in her frail voice, “Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much of it, we wear rubbers.” And the entire congregation chorused, “Amen.”